Boulder Relocation and Debris Clearance

Combining our expertise with the latest remote technology, we deliver industry-leading solutions

Boulders and debris can pose a significant challenge for developers, potentially leading to extensive layout alterations and rerouting; adding considerable time and expense. Our industry-leading techniques offer a highly efficient solution to the challenge of boulder relocation and debris clearance on site. Applying our years of experience, we created the Subsea Multi-Tool (SMT) ROV; a powerful, cost-effective and flexible deployment platform capable of satisfying various subsea requirements.

SMT-ROV: Powerful and Versatile

Ideal for large-scale debris clearance

Capable of relocating 140+ boulders in 24hrs

The most powerful tool on the market, The SMT ROV offers a highly versatile and cost-effective solution to the challenge of boulder relocation and debris removal.

The modular design allows for interchangeable tooling, including a 6-tine grab, clamshell grab, mass flow excavator and survey skid. The system offers superior productivity in comparison to a WROV, operating effectively even in high-current environments. With flexible deployment options, the SMT-ROV is capable of relocating 140+ boulders in a 24hr period, depending on the boulder density and deployment method.

The ability to accommodate various inspection and survey sensors simultaneously - including the PanGeo SBI - means the SMT-ROV can also perform post-removal confirmation surveys, potentially removing the need for a survey vessel mobilisation.

140+

Boulders relocated in 24hrs

0.2m to 2.0m

Boulder relocation capability

30T

Maximum lift capacity

6-Tine Grab

Survey Skid with PanGeo SBI

Clamshell Grab

Mass Flow Excavator

Total Site Clearance

Learn more about our UXO Clearance Services

Combining a DP Support Vessel with the SMT-ROV provides the offshore industry with one of the most capable diver-less solutions currently available.

Both the SMT-ROV and SMT-ROV 2 offer exceptional lifting capacity. When deployed using the Active Heave-Compensated Winch with through-frame lift capability, the SMT-ROV can lift up to 15 Tonne, and the SMT-ROV 2 can lift up to 30 Tonne using a vessel A-Frame or crane. This is achieved while using a series of hydraulic tools, performing simultaneous survey and video recording.

The SMT-ROV also transforms into an advanced survey skid - with or without tracks - delivering accurate survey data to support operations including UXO identification and removal, depth of burial surveys and free-span identification.

When designing the SMT-ROV, Hughes Subsea created a versatile multi Transformer Tool that can carry out a wider range of tasks compared to a free-swimming work-class ROV, aligning our services to the offshore renewables and decommissioning sectors.

The systems use a simple hydraulic latching system and interface plate. The additional framework can be used for interfacing larger tools such as MFE’s and when multiple tools are being used on one project, quick-connects on the hydraulic lines allow for rapid tooling adjustments. Power is distributed through a hydraulic valve pack so proportional control can be used.

The SMT-ROV offers exceptional productivity

The SMT-ROV offers exceptional levels of productivity and has been proven to relocate 140+ boulders in a 24hr period

Productivity depends on a number of variables, including the boulder density, the distance between locations and conditions on-site. Proving highly productive, even in high-current environments, the SMT-ROV has demonstrated the ability to relocate more than 140 boulders in a 24hr period. Using the Tine Grab, it is possible to relocate boulders as small as 0.3m.

The system can be deployed using one of three methods:

Vessel AHC crane deployment with tagging tower
A-Frame LARS deployment (20T SWL)
Vessel A-Frame system

When deployed through the moonpool, increased operational wave limits for launch and recovery are achieved.

SMT-ROV 1 - System Specifications

1960mm Height
2130mm Wide
2130mm Long
2,700kg (In air)
2,000kg (In water)
20,000kg (Payload)

3000m depth rating
200Hp - 2 x 100Hp HPU's
4 x 420cc Thrusters
Aleron TCU - 4 valves - 160l/min (24V)
Aleron 10st. GFVP - 15l/min (24V)
4 x LED lights (paired) (6 max - 3 Pairs) (24V)
Depth sensor
SMFO Mux
x3 Fibres Container to HVJB - One used
Tritech Gyro Compass
4 x Cameras
6 x SD channels
6 x monitors
12 x RS232 Serial Channels (6 used, 6 available with mods)
12 x RS485 Serial Channels (4 used, 8 available with mods)
4 (2 pairs) x 1Gig Ethernet Channels (6A Shared) (2 Available, 2 with mods)

PDU 380-480VAC 3ph. 50/60hz 400A(min)
2 x 120kVA Txfmr (HPU's)
4kVA inst. Txfmr
24VDC @ 1A per camera
120VAC Output - Subsea x1
120kVATransformer
Primary: 380,400,415,440,460,480
Secondary: 2900,3000,3100,3200,3300,3400
4kVATransformer
Primary: 380,400,415,440,460,480
Secondary: 950,1000,1100,1200

SMT-ROV 2 - System Specifications

1960mm Height
2130mm Wide
2130mm Long
2,700kg (In air)
2,000kg (In water)
30,000kg (Payload)

3000m depth rating
150Hp - 1 x 150Hp HPU's
4 x 380cc Thrusters
Aleron TCU - 4 valves - 160l/min (24V)
Aleron 10st. GFVP - 15l/min (24V)
4 x LED lights (paired) (6 max - 3 Pairs) (24V) (8 with Mods)
Depth sensor
SMFO Mux
x3 Fibres Container to HVJB - One used
CDL Gyro Compass
4 x Cameras (6/8 with mods)
6 x SD channels - Not Documented
9 x monitors
12 x RS232 Serial Channels (11 used, 1 available with mods)
12 x RS485 Serial Channels (5 used, 7 available with mods)
3 (1 Pair, 1 Single) x 1Gig Ethernet Channels (6A Shared)

PDU 380-480VAC 3ph. 50/60hz 600A(min)
2 x 200kVA Txfmr (HPU's)
7.5kVA inst. Txfmr
24VDC @ 1A per camera
120VAC Output - Subsea x1
200kVATransformer
Primary: 380,400,440,460,480
Secondary: 3000,3150,3200,3300
7.5kVATransformer
Primary: 420,440,460,480
Secondary: 525,1025,1050,1075

SMT-ROV 3 - System Specifications

1960mm Height
2130mm Wide
2130mm Long
2,200kg (In air)
2,000kg (In water)
20,000kg (Payload)

3000m depth rating
150Hp - 1 x 150Hp HPU's
4 x 380cc Thrusters - Different Motors to 2
Aleron TCU - 4 valves - 160l/min (24V)
Aleron 10st. GFVP - 15l/min (24V)
6 x LED lights (120VAC)
Depth sensor
SMFO Mux
x3 Fibres Container to HVJB - One used
Impact ISD3 Compass
6x Cameras
6 x SD channels - Not Documented
4 x monitors
12 x RS232 Serial Channels (12 used)
12 x RS485 Serial Channels (7 used, 5 available with mods)
4 (2 Pairs) x 1Gig Ethernet Channels (6A Shared) (4 available)

PDU 380-480VAC 3ph. 50/60hz @350A
140kVA Txfmr (HPU)
6.5kVA inst. Txfmr
24VDC @ 1A per camera
120VAC Output - Subsea x1
140kVA Transformer
Primary: 380,420,440,460,480
Secondary: 2400,2450,2500,2550,2600,3000,3050,3100,3150,3200
6.5kVATransformer
Primary: 420,440,460,480
Secondary: 1200, 1230, 1260

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Boulder Relocation and Debris Removal